Benny Boy's Birthday is No April Fool's!

My son, Ben, will be celebrating his 7th birthday on April Fool's Day! We stopped by the grocery store right after school and Ben picked out white cake and cream cheese frosting, but had a difficult time deciding on what color food coloring and sprinkles to use for decoration. Finally, he chose to have orange icing with these candy sprinkles. After he was in bed, I got to work on the embellishments for the top...so, this will be part of his surprise in the morning when he wakes up.

Here is a photo of my darling Benny Boy who has eyes that could light up any room and a big heart filled with kindness to all. Happy Birthday, Ben!



I whipped these up quickly, so they are very basic. Using Pacific Point ink, I stamped the image from the Time to Party stamp set on Whisper White cardstock. I punched the images with the 1 1/4" square punch, the Tangerine Tango cardstock with the Large Star punch, and the Kiwi Kiss cardstock with the 1 3/8" square punch. I adhered the layers together with a Pop-Up Glue Dot with the toothpick sandwiched in between.





Stamps: Time to Party
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango & Whisper White
Ink: Pacific Point
Other: 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Squares & Large Star punches, Pop-Up Glue Dots, toothpicks

Good For You ~ MOJO Monday #80 & OCCC

My card is inspired my the sketch from MOJO Monday sketch challenge #80 and the color combination from Our Creative Corner. The colors from the OCCC are More Mustard, Bashful Blue, and Not Quite Navy.

When I colored the duck with More Mustard, it was darker than I liked. So, I covered him with Dazzling Diamonds to "brighten" him up.



Stamps: Wagon Full of Fun, Really Retro, Cheep Talk
Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy CS, Urban Garden & Delicate Dots DSP
Ink: Black Stazon, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers
Other: Scallop Circle, 1 3/8", 1 1/4", & 1/4" Circle punches, Crafters Tool Kit, Rich Regals Brads, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain ribbon, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Stampin' Dimensionals

Jewelry Color Inspiration #30

Anyone who knows me also knows that have an obsession for stamping and for JEWELRY! I enjoy participating in other stamping challenges and want to share the fun by offering my own weekly Jewelry Color Inspiration challenge. The challenge will be posted each Sunday and will include a jewelry photo along with the link to the website where I found it.

If you want to play along, simply make a paper project (card, scrapbook page, or 3D item) that includes the colors indicated with the jewelry piece. (If you don't have the exact colors, just use ones that are similar:) Then, submit your creation to me by Saturday, April 4th at 11:59 P.M. using the Mr. Linky box at the end of this posting. You may also wish to post your photo at Splitcoaststampers.com using the keyword JCI.

Those of you who participate in the challenge will receive recognition the following Sunday...so what are you waiting for...join the fun! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

BLOG CANDY

To sweeten the inspiration a little, I am offering some yummy blog candy to my favorite submission! The blog candy consists of three items from the Sale-a-bration brochure that expires on March 31st. The winner will receive Delicate Dots Designer Series paper, Polka Dot Punches stamp set, Ribbon Bundle, and a hand-stamped card. Good luck, stampers!



I know what some of you may be thinking..."I would never have put these colors together to make a card"...well, neither would I have. I am always looking for unique color combinations in jewelry pieces that I find online and this one definately fit the test! I was drawn to this necklace and kept going back to it on my search for your jewelry inspiration this week. I found this Neon Lights Wrap Necklace at Jenny Sue Jewelry etsy shop. The talented designer is a Speech-Language Pathology grad student who makes jewelry on the side. Go check Jenny Sue's shop for some fantastic jewelry pieces.





Here is the card that I was inspired to make. I had some retired Parisian Summer Designer Series Paper that has not only the Bravo Burgandy color, but a lovely damask print on it. The card base is Going Gray with a double image from the Very Versatile stamp set which will be available on April 1st in the Occasions Mini catalog. The greeting, from Sweet Sentiments, says it all because I continue to be inspired by all of you who participate in my jewelry challenges. The Whisper White Satin ribbon and Jumbo grommet will also be available in the Occasions Mini on April 1st...I love pairing them together. I used a strip of Yoyo Yellow with a scalloped edge to peek out under the ribbon treatment for just a little pop! Can't wait to see what you all come up with! Happy stamping and thanks for taking a gander at this week's Jewelry Color Inspiration #30!

Jewelry Color Inspiration #29 Submissions

Anyone who knows me also knows that have an obsession for stamping and for JEWELRY! I enjoy participating in other stamping challenges and want to share the fun by offering my own weekly Jewelry Color Inspiration Challenge. The Jewelry Color Inspiration Challenge #27 was posted last Sunday and included a jewelry photo, color swatches, and my card along with the link to the website where I found it.

This Kulki (meaning "little balls" in Polish) necklace was designed with using a string of glass beads that have been decorated using different techniques including embroidery and application. You can view this unique necklace and others like it at the celapiujewelry etsy shop.





I adore this Great Friend stamp set that will be available on April 1st in the Occasions Mini. That butterfly is so beautiful and versatile!




Thanks, ladies! I love seeing what you were inspired to make with the jewelry colors...you have inspired me as well!

Teresa



Deb



Andrea



Caryl



Maria



Rochelle



Jennifer



Julie

To Wonderful You ~ FCCC36 & WSC74

Stamps: Sweet Little Sentiments
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Other: Trio Flower punch, Silver Brads, Whisper White Organza ribbon, Big Shot, (Flower) Daisy & Birds and Blooms Sizzlet Dies, Fresh Favorites buttons, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals



Like I said in the last post, you find a fabulous sketch and color inspiration...and you're good to go! Libby's little girl, Courtney, is always sporting the most darling outfits and seeing her makes me miss it when my Hannah was that size. The colors and daisies on my card were inspired by Courtney's outfit and the 'From Courtney's Closet Challenge' #36. The daisies on the card were die-cut with the Big Shot using the Daisy & the Birds and Blooms sizzlets dies.



Charmaine's layout is the Weekend Sketch Challenge #74 over at her blog, Oodabug Alley. I used the trio flower punch and silver brads at the top right corner for the trio of 'something'. The oval frame at the bottom of the card was die-cut using the Lots of Tags sizzlet die and the Big Shot.

Kind Thanks ~ Raspberry Suite #2 & FTL #35

Dawn McVey is back with her second Raspberry Suite Color Challenge. These colors are so beautiful together, don't you think? Not only did I receive inspiration from the colors of that awesome bedding from Pottery Barn Teen, but also from the leafy image on the pillow. I knew right away I wanted to use the Wonderful You stamp set, which is one of my favorites even though it's on the Stampin' Up! dormant list. When you combine a beautiful color combination with an amazing sketch, you've got the beginning of a fantastic card. The Fall-to Layout #35 sketch is from Clean & Simple Stamping blog.



With this card, I wheeled the Wonderful wheel vertically over the front of the Tempting Turquoise card base. After covering the bottom section with Bella Rose designer paper, I wrapped the grosgrain ribbon around with at knot at the edge of the card. For the 2-step stamping, I used Certainly Celery and Chocolate Chip directly on the Whisper White cardstock. I stamped a flower image on a couple pieces of cardstock, cut it out, and adhered it over the leaves with dimensionals to give it a little pop. The greeting was stamped in Chocolate Chip and cut apart using scissors before adhering with dimensionals.

Paper Garden Projects is offering some yummy blog candy if you submit a project that includes some background stamping. Go check it out!

Stamps: Wonderful You, Thank You Kindly, Wonderful Jumbo Wheel
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip CS, Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery
Other: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

B is for Birthday

This birthday card was the make & take that Tammy's guests made at her workshop last night. The card layout was inspired by my fabulously talented upline, Julie at Julie's Stamping Spot and the I took the color combination from the Sweet Always Designer Series Paper pack.



The party hats image at the bottom of the card was inked up using the Stampin' Write markers. The little present in the middle of the 'b' was stamped on a scrap piece of Whisper White, punched out with the 3/4" cirlce punch with a rhinestone brad inserted, and finally adhered with a dimensional.

Stamps: Party Hearty
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette & Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose & Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers
Other: Whisper White Organza, Rhinestone Brads, Eyelet Border & 3/4" Circle punches, Stampin' Dimensionals

Sale-a-Bration Mini Note & Box

There are only a few days left of the Sale-a-bration Promotion! If you haven't gotten your free gift with purchase yet, it's not too late! Email me or visit my business website and place your order today!

I made this cute little note card set and holder for a workshop that I'm holding tonight. This will be one of the projects that I demonstrate and my wonderful hostess, Tammy, will get to keep.



The box is made from four scallop envelope die-cuts that were cut out using my Big Shot, adhered together, and then wrapped with a strip of DSP and ribbon. I stamped the flowers and scallop circle with the Polka Dot Punches stamp set, punched them out, layered them together, and added a Pretties Kit pearl to the center. The flower embellishment adds just the right touch to complete this darling box. Inside the box is a set of three mini note cards and coordinating envelopes using the same stamp set, punches, and DSP.



Stamps: Polka Dot Punches
Paper: Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Certainly Celery CS, Delicate Dots DSP
Ink: Sahara Sand
Other: Big Shot, Scallop Envelope Die, Ribbon Bundle, 5-petal flower & scallop circle punches, Pretties Kit

God's Beauty ~ KWerner Color Inspiration #47

How cool to visit Kristina's blog and find that she had just posted the new Color Inspiration for the week! I immediately thought of God's Beauty hostess stamp set when I saw the photo those amazing cards for KWerner Design Color Inspiration #47.



I went straight to my stamping table, pulled out this unmounted set, and got busy! I made a similar card a few days ago and couldn't get that layout out of my head, so I used it again. I love the clean lines of this layout and I'm sure I'll use it many times more.



I stamped the butterfly image and the greeting in the center of the Whisper White cardstock using my stamp-a-majig and the butterfly image again on scrap. After cutting out the second image, I adhered it directly over the first image. A little paper piercing, mounting, and adhering...viola, done!

Stamps: God's Beauty, Thank You Kindly
Paper: So Saffron, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White CS
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip
Other: Crafters Tool Kit, Stamp-a-majig, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Best Wishes ~ SCS SC221

Here is a card that I made for the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge #221. The Raspberry Tart DSP made it easy to put a color combination together for this challenge card. I put my Big Shot to work using the Flower, Daisies #2 Bigz die & the Little Leaves Sizzlet die. I die-cut three daisies and two little leaves for the focal piece. The Best Wishes greeting from the Oval All stamp set was inked in Rose Red and mounted on a Kiwi Kiss Scallop Oval. The Oval All and coordinating Scallop Oval punch will both be available in the new Occasions Mini brochure on April 1st.





Stamps: Oval All
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Rose Red CS, Raspberry Tart DSP
Ink: Rose Red
Other: Big Shot, (Flower) Daisies #2, Little Leaves Sizzlet, 1/2" Circle, Large Oval & Scallop Oval punches, Crafters Tool Kit, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, Pop-Up Glue Dots & Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy for you ~ CTD35

Organic Outlines is another set that I haven't used in a long time, so here goes. I made this card for the Color Throwdown #35 which includes the colors Purely Pomegranate (retired), Tangerine Tango & Kiwi Kiss. While digging for some Purely Pomegranate cardstock, I was lucky enough to find several pieces of this beautiful but retired color. This card was also inspired by a card that Mary Fish created. I didn't do the tiles or the piercing, but I loved her card using the Organic Outlines stamp set with Tangerine Tango.





Stamps: Organic Outlines
Paper: Purely Pomegranante, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White CS
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss
Other: Kiwi Kiss 5/8" Striped Grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Sponge, Photo Corner & Key Tag punches, Stampin' Dimensionals

Sweet Stems ~ TSSC62

I made this card for the Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #62 over at Techno Stamper blog.



I hadn't used my Sweet Stems stamp set and coordinating Raspberry Tart DSP in awhile, so I dusted them off and this is what I came up with. I stamped the sweet stems with Black Stazon, colored them in with Cameo Coral and Rose Red Stampin' Write markers, then added a little Dazzling Diamonds. Gotta love the sparkle! After punching the flowers with my 1 3/8" Circle punch, I mounted them on Kiwi Kiss Scallop Cirles that have piercing on each scallop.



Stamps: Sweet Stems
Paper: Cameo Coral, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss & Whisper White CS, Raspberry Tart DSP
Ink: Black Stazon
Other: Rose Red ribbon, Scallop Circle & 1 3/8" Circle punches, Crafters Tool Kit, Glue Dots & Stampin' Dimensionals